In 1948 pioneer filmmaker D.W. Griffith, who directed such classic silent epics as "Birth of a Nation" and "Intolerance," died in Los Angeles; he was 73.

In 1952 Egyptian military officers led by Gamal Abdel Nasser overthrew King Farouk I.

In 1967 rioting that claimed some 43 lives erupted in Detroit.

In 1982 the International Whaling Commission voted for an indefinite moratorium on commercial whaling, which would take effect in 1985.

In 1984 explosions killed 17 people at the Union Oil Co. refinery in Romeoville. Also in 1984, because of nude photos published in a magazine, Vanessa Williams became the first Miss America to resign her title.

In 1996, at the Atlanta Olympics, Kerri Strug made a heroic final vault despite an injured left ankle to help the U.S. women gymnasts win their first team gold medal.

In 2000 Tiger Woods, at 24, became the youngest player to win the career Grand Slam by winning the British Open.